Horseshoe Chain

[soft]

I agreed with Hanson.

Are Horseshoe and Long safe for walking?.

Thanks.

[duckslayer27]

Good point hanson

Did you stay late enough on saturday to get into the pesky crapies too. Glad to see you and your dad had a good bite out there too. See ya on the water

[SportFishin']

Anyone have a recent ice report for the Horseshoe?

Thanks,

Chris

[so haaad]

I was out on horseshoe on Wednesday afternoon. The fish were biting.

[SportFishin']

so haaad,

How thick was the ice? Would like to run up there with the family Christmas afternoon.

Later,

Chris

[Eric]

Ice is doing fine. Most are using atvs.

[SportFishin']

Thanks Eric,

Merry Christmas!

Chris

['eyesmaster89]

Me and a friend went out their yesterday. First time fishing cats. Went to a sharp drop and looked around a little and found some on the depthfinder.

Then it was unbelievable. Looked a little more, found spot that showed 20 feet, until I turned the power down on the vex, then it showed 35. Punched some holes and dropped the camera down. The cats were so thick the vex couldn't shoot through them. There had to be hundreds of em. They didn't seem to interested in the bait though, but we did manage 8 between the two of us. That was one of the coolest things I ever saw.

Any one else ever find them this thick?

[IceHawk]

I have fished areas on the chain that are real similar. Cats winter in certain areas on the chain and you were probably in one of the areas they really school up. I call it danceing with the cats, quite the show on a underwater camera. I have had schools so thick that they literally run into each other. Cat fishing is a blast especially winter fishing for them. The chain is definately a pure cat meca and one of the few areas you can ice winter cats. As a request I ask all cat fisherman please keep some for a meal and release some back for the future. I know alot of people are tossing them on the ice etc. I have talked to the warden and he is looking into the problems etc. I personally have been working on this for years by showing and preaching to locals how the catfish is a important resource to our community etc. Cats are great tablefare and put up a excelllent fight and they are starting to find out. I have talked to alot of the locals who consider cats roughfish, and through time I hope they change their minds, respect the fish and enjoy what the chain has to offer and that's Cat-fishing at it's finest.

[Eric]

Well said IceHawk. The chain is a jem! I wish more people respected it. The walleye bite has been awsome too! You will catch little ones but those 20"s are nice surprises. I asked a gamewarden why I don't see the much on the chain. He said that "it's the land of 10,000 lakes and 25 wardens".

[Blainebob]

Never iced cats before,going to come up for the get together in march-sounds like a blast!!!

[steeplechaser2]

Last FRiday we managed three nice cats and about a dozen small eyes in 21 to 27 feet....great day...tasty cats! don't waste 'em....eat 'em or release 'em!!!!

[Blainebob]

Not sure where to access ice from. My folks have a place at the ranch,EL RANCHO MANANA-only been up in the summer.. Is there anywhere to get on near Brinkys liquor store? Not looking for hotspots,just a place to get on the ice!! Any help would be great!!

[IceHawk]

BlaineBoB- There is a winter access off of Hwy 22 past the public access. Most people use this one and it's the best area to go on. If you turn off HWY 23 onto HWY 22 go about 2 miles or so on 22. Look on the the right side you will see where people go out it's across from the Cedar Island winter access. Don't venture out from Brinkys canal to reach Horseshoe there is unsafe ice out near the mudflats and the bridge!

[Ralph Wiggum]

Are folks driving out there with trucks???

I plan on running out tomorrow afternoon, but I think I'll be making a long hike

[IceHawk]

No they are not. The ice ranges from 8-10 inches. Foot travel is easy and safer right now. Good luck!

[Ralph Wiggum]

Thanks! I'll definitely hoof it. I hope those kitties are hungry!!!

[Huskiedevle]

You are recommending foot travel on the ice, but what is the real deal on ATV's? I read a couple of the posts saying there are folks out there on 4 wheelers, but are the ice conditions good to go for ATV's? An 8-10 inch average seems good for ATV's/sleds, but I don't know the ice conditions overall, that some of you others have found out there already.Like most forum users here, I am just looking to be safe on the ice, not inundate any one spot on the chain. Thanks for any feedback.

[The Chemist]

Here's one suggestion I would give you.... if you are unfamiliar with the chain, I would first go by foot. Typically the first time I go out I walk to find out the status of the ice. I tend to stay in one specific area and if I drive out the first time I am out there I will park a good distance from the area and go out and scout as to where the open spot is as I have seen it move over the years at least it seems as though it changes from year to year.

[Energypti1]

I am heading out to the chain this weekend. can any bdoy give me some advice as where to go to get into some cats or walleys,on cedar island or I guess anywhere on the chain. Thanks

[Blainebob]

Yes,where is a good place to start to look for them cats,,and what to use??

[so haaad]

People were 4-wheeling on Horseshoe last week, but like Chemist and Icehawk suggested, use extreme caution if you do not know this waterbody. I walked out to the meth hole area from the 22 bridge. The walking was very easy because there's very little snow. However, there is still a little open water through most of the area between the islands that made it very tough to walk over. The actual meth hole is posted with signs again this year, so stay away if you see them.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Quote:

---

People were 4-wheeling on Horseshoe last week, but like Chemist and Icehawk suggested, use extreme caution if you do not know this waterbody. I walked out to the meth hole area from the 22 bridge. The walking was very easy because there's very little snow. However, there is still a little open water through most of the area between the islands that made it very tough to walk over. The actual meth hole is posted with signs again this year, so stay away if you see them.

---

I echo what so haaad said. I walked from the bridge yesterday evening and there is still open water by the islands, so be very, very careful!

On a positive note, I picked up 4 walleye, 4 cats, a crappie, and a rock bass, so I had some fun. I had one cat at 26.5" and another at 24"--what fun!!!

[Tippman]

Went out for a couple hours this evening in the rain. Ended up with 3 cats and 3 eyes. 12 inches of ice.

[steiger]

any ice left up there?

[steiger]

kinda off the subject of fishing but what is going on with lakeview resort? i heard the new owners are killing it? i hope there is no truth to this

[Skeets]

Quote:

---

The ice ranges from 8-10 inches. Foot travel is easy and safer right now.

---

Icehawk, you been out since the rain?

Was wondering about the access off 71 onto Cedar Island. Are there any trouble spots in that area out to the islands?

Thanks buddy!

[IceHawk]

Skeets- You will be fine most of the water found a home and the top is good again. The 71 access is in good shape just hug the W side. Are you familiar with the winter access off of Cedar Island Rd (the picket fence easment)this is the one I have been useing alot it makes the distance a little shorter. Good luck If your after what I think your after you will find them!

[Skeets]

Quote:

---

Are you familiar with the winter access off of Cedar Island Rd

---

Yes, I am. I just thought there was more parking room at the public access.

Quote:

---

just hug the W side

---

Do you mean the north side of the channel/deep hole?

Maybe see you out there sometime!

Thanks!

[IceHawk]

Yes your right Skeets. I got my directions mixed up.